Why did the Psalmist have such a longing for God’s law? “I am a stranger in the earth, he said, “hide not thy commandments from me.” (See verse 19) He was aware that this world is not his home, and he needs God’s word to get him through his time on this earth. The longing that the Psalmist had for God’s word was intense, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” (verse 20) The Psalmist saw what happened to the proud who took no heed to God’s word. They are rebuked of God and cursed. “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.” (verse 21) The Psalmist did not want to meet the same end as these proud people and entreated the Lord, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.” (verse 22)
During the time of the Psalmist, even those in leadership rejected God’s word. He voiced his concern to God, “Princes also did sit and speak against me…” Then he described his solace during these hard times, “…but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” (see verse 23 and 24) Even when all those around him rejected God’s word and those in leadership despised him, the Psalmist found solace in the word of God. There he found delight and direction for life. And there I can find the same. And so can you.